A top car dealership earned my gratitude after keeping to the letter of the law in a dispute with one of its customers.

Reg Vardy plc agreed to buy Ann Riddell's year-old Fiat Stilo back from her for more than the current market value of the vehicle.

The suggestion that they could buy the car back - because of a series of faults - was first made in a letter sent to me from an in-house solicitor.

However the company said that the letter, sent in response to my inquiries on behalf of Ann, did not commit them to any action.

But the firm changed its mind after the case was discussed at director level.

Company spokesman Michael Lavery said: "We sympathise with the problems Mrs Riddell has experienced with her vehicle and we are committed to finding a solution as quickly as possible."

I'm pleased to report that he was as good as his word and the company decided to honour the offer in the letter.

Ann, of Sunderland, received the good news in a phone call. She was told to come to the dealership, hand the car back, and get a cheque in return.

She said: "It's much higher than what I could have got in a normal trade-in. Thank you very much for looking into it for me."

editor's must: keep in this response from Reg Vardy!!A spokesman for Reg Vardy said: "Mrs Riddell experienced a number of problems with her vehicle but by working closely with both customer and the manufacturer we are pleased to have found an acceptable solution.

"In line with Reg Vardy's commitment to achieve customer satisfaction, all our colleagues are geared up to meet customers' needs in areas of sales, service and after- sales."